Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Happy Birthday- Westminster Abbey

On this date 1065, King Edward the Confessor dedicated what is now known as The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster. A week later he died. His successor, Harold II the last king before the Norman invasion, held his coronation there, as have all monarchs since. Seventeen are buried here.

The current church was begun in 1245.

For over a thousand years daily liturgical and choir services have been held in the Abbey. The building itself while huge, feels surprisingly intimate during services.

4 comments:

For years my family attended St. Edward the Confessor Episcopal Church, which had an altar made of stone. One of the stones was from Westminster Abbey, salvaged during the bombing of London (at least, that's what the Altar Guild ladies said!). It made a great story for the acolytes. Happy New Year!